The humble art of picnicing has been right up there with the best of ways to enjoy the sunandamp-up WFH lunches since lockdown began. And now, with new government advice stating that we can sit in parks if socially distanced from those who live in different households, picnicking outside of our own back yard can be once again enjoyed.
Fast forward a few weeks, and here’s hoping we’ll even be able to do so with our friends. So you’d better get prepared.
While there’s no denying the catastrophic impacts of Coronavirus, there have been a couple of positive outcomes. Not least our heightened appreciation for friends and family and our newfound ability to find joy in even the most monotonous of days.
We no longer need an excuse to make every dinnertime or night in a special occasion – because special occasions as we knew them have been all but cancelled. We’ve learnt how to celebrate birthdays from the confines of our own home, and how to make an isolated date night one of your best ever.
At one time, picnics were consigned to the realm of the rich – outdoor banquets held to impress guests with power and wealth of the hosts. They’d sometimes go on for days, with chairs, tables and even servants.
Ours might not look quite so lavish, but it doesn’t actually take much to pull off one of these leisurely, sun-drenched (we hope) gastronomical affairs with serious style – particularly if you know where to look for all the chicest outdoor dining equipment (we do).
From pizza ovens to seeds and planters, here are the most stylish products to transform your outdoor space (because gardening is scientifically-proven to make you happier)
For the picnic rug of your dreams, head to French Connection. Their bestselling Poppy field rug is finally back in stock, this time as a Moroccan-inspired picnic rug with coordinating seating cushion. It’s al fresco dining perfection. If you want something brighter, Anthropologie are giving French Connection a run for their money with this spirit-lifting rainbow picnic rug. It comes with loop holes and pegs to keep it secure in the ground.
When it comes to picnic hampers, the Croft Collection available at John Lewis offers the best we’ve found. The four-person traditional wicker picnic basket comes with four dinner plates, knives, forks, dessert spoons, tumblers and napkins. You’ll also need these plastic Champagne flutes from Selfridges, this stylish crockery from John Lewis’ Leon collaboration and, for something a little more low-key *cough*, a Rattan wine and bread basket. It has space for – yep, you guessed it – nothing more than a loaf of bread and two bottles of wine. Dream. Diet. Thanks Anthropologie for reading our minds once again.
